How Much Does a Pet Care Franchise Cost in the USA?

From doggy daycares to luxury pet grooming and retail stores, the U.S. pet industry is experiencing explosive growth. In 2025, it’s projected to surpass $143 billion, making it one of the most lucrative and recession-resistant sectors to invest in.

As pet ownership surges—over 66% of U.S. households now have at least one pet—the demand for trusted services like grooming, boarding, training, and premium pet food is skyrocketing. For entrepreneurs looking for a stable and emotionally fulfilling business, a pet care franchise offers a compelling opportunity.

But how much does it actually cost to open one?

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through:

Pet care industry trends in 2025
Types of pet care franchises
Average startup costs and breakdown
Top pet franchise brands and what they cost
Profitability and revenue insights
Common franchisee qualifications
Funding options
Pet care business risks and trends
Franchise comparison table
Final investor advice

1. Pet Care Industry Trends (2025)

Market Size: $143B projected U.S. pet industry value in 2025
Annual Growth: 7.2% CAGR (2021–2025)
Popular Services:
- Pet grooming (45% of pet owners use monthly)
- Doggy daycare & boarding
- Pet retail (toys, food, clothing)
- Veterinary wellness & training

2. Types of Pet Care Franchises

Pet Daycare & Boarding (e.g., Dogtopia, Camp Bow Wow)
Grooming Studios (e.g., Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, Aussie Pet Mobile)
Pet Retail Stores (e.g., Pet Supplies Plus)
Mobile Services (e.g., Pet Wants, Aussie Pet Mobile)
Pet Training (e.g., Sit Means Sit, Dog Training Elite)

3. Pet Care Franchise Cost Breakdown

Expense Category	Estimated Range
Franchise Fee	$30,000 – $60,000
Real Estate & Lease	$20,000 – $250,000
Buildout & Equipment	$75,000 – $200,000
Technology & Software	$3,000 – $10,000
Initial Inventory	$5,000 – $30,000
Training & Launch	$5,000 – $20,000
Insurance & Permits	$5,000 – $15,000
Working Capital	$25,000 – $100,000
Total Investment	$125,000 – $600,000+

4. Top Pet Franchises in 2025′

1. Dogtopia

Startup Cost: $530K – $1.3M
Franchise Fee: $49,500
Royalty: 7% + 2% marketing
Services: Daycare, boarding, grooming
Requirements: $1M net worth, $300K liquid

2. Pet Supplies Plus

Startup Cost: $440K – $1.3M
Franchise Fee: $49,900
Royalty: 2–3% (low for retail)
USP: National brand, retail + services

3. Camp Bow Wow

Startup Cost: $250K – $850K
Franchise Fee: $50,000
Royalty: 7% + 2% marketing
Focus: Large-scale boarding and daycare

4. Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming

Startup Cost: $165K – $300K
Franchise Fee: $45,000
Royalty: 6% + 1% brand fund
USP: Grooming + upscale retail

5. Aussie Pet Mobile

Startup Cost: $150K – $200K
Franchise Fee: $35,000
Royalty: 8% + 2% marketing
USP: No storefront, mobile-only grooming service

5. Profitability Benchmarks

Franchise	Avg Annual Revenue	Net Profit Margin	Breakeven Period
Dogtopia	$1M – $1.5M	20–25%	2–3 years
Pet Supplies Plus	$1.5M – $2.5M	12–18%	2–4 years
Camp Bow Wow	$800K – $1.3M	18–25%	2–3 years
Woof Gang Bakery	$400K – $800K	15–22%	18–30 months
Aussie Pet Mobile	$200K – $450K	25–30%	18–24 months

6. Franchisee Qualifications

Net Worth: $250K – $1.5M
Liquid Capital: $75K – $500K
Experience: Not required, but customer service/management helps
Passion for Animals: Strongly valued by franchisors
Owner Role: Owner-operator or semi-absentee

7. Financing & Support Options

SBA Loans: Excellent for sub-$500K franchise startups
Franchisor Lenders: Dogtopia, Pet Supplies Plus have preferred banks
ROBS (401k Rollovers): Use retirement funds penalty-free
Veteran Discounts: Many brands offer up to 20% off fees

8. Risk Factors & Trends

Risks:

High facility costs (for boarding/daycare)
Zoning and noise regulations
Pet illness or injury liability

Trends:

Growth in mobile grooming
Expansion of pet wellness (massage, CBD, organic foods)
Increased demand for subscription plans (monthly grooming, play passes)

9. Franchise Comparison Table

Franchise	Startup Cost	Franchise Fee	Avg Revenue	Net Margin	Breakeven
Dogtopia	$530K – $1.3M	$49,500	$1.2M	22%	2–3 years
Pet Supplies Plus	$440K – $1.3M	$49,900	$2M	15%	2–4 years
Camp Bow Wow	$250K – $850K	$50,000	$1M	20%	2–3 years
Woof Gang Bakery	$165K – $300K	$45,000	$600K	20%	18–30 months
Aussie Pet Mobile	$150K – $200K	$35,000	$300K	28%	18–24 months

10. Final Thoughts

Pet care franchises offer an emotionally rewarding and financially scalable investment opportunity in 2025. Whether you prefer running a doggy daycare, a grooming salon, or a mobile pet service, the demand is strong and growing.

Before choosing a brand, be sure to: